Offworld Trading Company lets you become a resource tycoon on the Red Planet

Offworld Trading Company is a bit unconventional for a real-time strategy game. It has no combat, and mixes city-building with resource management and stock market speculation. The game has developed a following in Early Access, and is finally emerging for release.

Developed by Mohawk Games, which was co-founded by Civilization 4 lead designer Soren Johnson, the boasts campaign and skirmish modes, tutorials for the four playable factions and daily challenges to hone your skills. As with the Civ games, you have numerous difficulty levels and can challenge up to 7 other AI players. If you want to go against live opponents, you can jump into 8-player matches.

“This game has been an idea I’ve had for a long time,” Johnson said. “I knew I wanted to create a unique real time strategy game, and when I started looking at all the possibilities, Mars just made sense for our setting.”

Steve previewed the game during a trip to the Stardock offices, and I have been playing it rather extensively in Skirmish mode. As an RTS player, I found it engaging and entertaining, and even quite challenging at higher difficulties. If you like the resource gathering aspect of RTS games and have always wanted to dabble a bit in the markets, this should be right up your alley.